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The Internet Ecosystem: 15 October 2010
The Internet Ecosystem: 15 October 2010
15 October 2010
Internet Society Galerie Jean-Malbuisson, 15 Tel: +41 22 807 1444 1775 Wiehle Ave. Tel: +1 703 439 2120
InternetSociety.org CH-1204 Geneva Fax: +41 22 807 1445 Suite 201 Fax: +1 703 326 9881
info@isoc.org Switzerland Reston, VA 20190, USA
Introduction
This paper offers a brief introduction to some of the Internet organizations and
processes that shape naming and addressing, shared global services and
operations, and open standards development in the Internet Ecosystem. It builds
on the Internet Society’s earlier well-received graphic: The Internet Ecosystem:
http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/docs/internetmodel.pdf
This paper looks at some of the organizations and processes that shape Internet
policy, with a focus on how any interested stakeholder can get involved in their
work. It is not exhaustive; nor does it cover all aspects in detail. It is
recommended that readers use this document as a starting point in their
exploration of the Internet ecosystem, its players and policy processes.
As a discussion paper, “Exploring the Internet Ecosystem” will remain a work in
progress. Readers who wish to suggest improvements are invited to send
suggestions to the Internet Society at isoc@isoc.org.
• Individuals and Organizations the use the Internet to communicate with each
other and offer services
• Organizations that provide education and build capacity for developing and
using Internet technologies, such as multilateral organizations, educational
institutions, and governmental agencies
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Internet Protocol (IP) addresses are unique numeric identifiers that are needed
by every device that connects to the global Internet. The numeric identifier is
assigned to a device or end point that enables data to be accurately transported
between origination and destination points within a network or networks. IP
addresses are a shared common resource that must be managed carefully to
ensure the continued growth and stability of the Internet.
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IANA
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is responsible for the
global coordination of the Internet Protocol addressing systems, as
well as the Autonomous System Numbers used for routing Internet
traffic and other technical parameters associated with Internet
protocols. ICANN performs the IANA function under contract with the
United States Department of Commerce.
http://www.iana.org/numbers/
ICANN
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
has responsibility for Internet Protocol (IP) address space allocation
(through IANA), and the operation and evolution of the Domain Name
System, along with the coordination of policy development reasonably
and appropriately related to these technical functions.,.
http://www.icann.org/tr/english.html
ASO
The ICANN Address Supporting Organization (ASO) was established
with a MoU between the RIRs and ICANN. Its purpose is to review
and development of recommendations on Internet number resource
policy and to advise the ICANN board.
http://aso.icann.org/
NRO
The NRO is composed of the 5 Regional Internet Registries (RIRs).
The purpose of the Number Resource Organization (NRO) is to
ensure global coherence of certain RIR activities, and to provide a
single common interface to all the RIRs where this is necessary. The
NRO also undertakes joint RIR activities, including technical projects
and liaison activities.
http://www.nro.net/
RIR
NIR
A National Internet Registry (NIR) primarily allocates address space
obtained from the relevant RIR, consistent with RIR policies, to its
members or constituents, which are typically LIRs/ISPs. A limited
number of NIRs exist in the Asia and Latin American and Caribbean
regions.2
LIR
A Local Internet Registry (LIR) is typically an Internet Service
Provider (ISP) which assigns address space to users of its network
services (who may be other ISPs, which then assign address space to
their own customers).3
ISPs
Internet Service providers.4
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The allocation of Internet Protocol addresses is undertaken by IANA, in
accordance with the IP specification laid out by IETF specifications.
Requests for IP addresses are typically made by Internet Service Providers (ISP)
either to the appropriate Regional Internet Registry (RIR), or, in limited cases, to
the Local Internet Registry (LIR) or National Internet Registry (NIR) – if either one
or the other exists in the particular jurisdiction. (The LIRs and NIRs also receive
their allocations from the RIR in their particular region.) 5
As an RIR completes allocations from the space it has been given from IANA, the
RIR will request a new allocation from IANA. Once IANA has determined that the
request meets various clearly defined conditions (agreed on in global policy), the
allocation is made to the RIR. IANA does not make allocations directly to ISPs,
LIRs and NIRs.
For an in-depth review of the RIRs and address allocation policy:
http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/docs/address-allocation_200906.pdf
1
http://www.nro.net/about/internet-registries.html
2
For a full list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Internet_registry
3
ibid
4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_service_provider
5
For more information on the operational relationships between NIRs and APNIC:
http://www.apnic.net/policy/operational-policies-nirs/text
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As with the allocation process, the mechanism by which allocation policy is
proposed and agreed is driven through bottom-up and open consultation.
In addition to the various parties outlined in the above, there are two important
additional policy focused entities that are involved in policy development for IP
addresses: the Number Resource Organization (NRO) and the ICANN Address
Supporting Organization (ICANN ASO).
Regional IP address allocation policy development will typically start as a result of
an input by an individual or organization to an RIR. While the RIR policy
development processes may differ slightly across the regions, they are based
upon the principles of openness, transparency and deliberation. Any individual or
organization can participate.6
Policy proposals that may have global import will also typically be submitted
through one of the RIR policy forums. For a policy to be declared global, it has to
be one that affects all five RIRs and IANA.7
Global policy proposals are discussed within each of the RIRs and a common
position is sought that can then be forwarded onto the ASO. The ASO then
communicates the proposal to the ICANN Board and, once accepted, is
announced as global policy and published on the NRO and ICANN websites.8
For both regional and global policy proposals the policy development processes
(PDPs) are open and encourage participation by all interested parties and
stakeholders. This is discussed further in the next section.
6
The policy development process at RIPE: http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/pdp.html
7
See attachment A of the following document for a detailed description of the global policy process:
http://aso.icann.org/documents/memorandum-of-understanding/
8
The policy document outlining the process for ratification of a global policy by ICANN:
http://www.icann.org/en/general/review-procedures-pgp.html
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Interested individuals and organizations can follow and participate in IP address
allocation policy development through the RIRs’ open meetings, policy
development processes and forum mailing lists, ICANN’s public meetings, and
through the open ASO9 mailing lists. Interested organizations (those that use
large numbers of addresses or make assignments to other entities) could
consider membership in of one of the RIRs.
Government representatives are encouraged to participate directly in the RIR
policy process, and several do. In addition, they can also be informed of recent
developments in IP address allocation discussions through the ICANN’s
Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) via the NRO report:
http://gac.icann.org/
Additionally, government representatives can and do participate in the RIR and
ICANN open meetings and subscribe to their open mailing lists. Some RIRs also
hold specific roundtable meetings focused on issues of interest to governments
and regulators.10
While participation in the IP address allocation policy is important, participation in
the uptake and transition to IPv6 is equally so. Most of the Internet is currently
addressed via IP version 4 (IPv4) addresses. IPv6 addresses are also
increasingly used, but not yet to the same extent. IPv6 is a more recent protocol,
offering a much larger address pool than IPv4. However, IPv6 is not intended as
a direct replacement for IPv4. Rather, the two address protocols are able to be
used together across the Internet.
This transition to IPv6 is becoming increasingly critical as the IPv4 address pool
is running out and the time to implement IPv6 in networks is now. For more
information on IPv6 and its importance to the future growth and continuity of the
Internet see:
http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/docs/ipv6-way-forward.pdf
9
http://aso.icann.org/contact/aso-mailing-lists/
10
2010 RIPE meeting for governments and regulators:
http://www.ripe.net/meetings/roundtable/feb2010/
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A generic top-level domain (gTLD) is one of a number of different types of top-
level domains (TLDs) maintained by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
(IANA) for use in the Domain Name System of the Internet. These categories
include, among others, generic top level domains (gTLD) and country code top
level domains (ccTLD). A domain name is a way of making an Internet Protocol
address (a series of numbers and dots) more comprehensible to users. Typical
gTLDs that we are all familiar with include .com, .net, .org, etc.
Two recent developments that are touched upon in this paper that have been the
product of extensive policy deliberation are the (eventual) introduction of new
gTLDs and the introduction of internationalized ccTLDs.
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ICANN
GNSO
http://gnso.icann.org/
CBUC
http://www.bizconst.org/
ISPCP
http://www.ispcp.info/default.htm
NCUC
https://st.icann.org/ncsg-ec/index.cgi?membership_criteria#
http://www.gtldregistries.org/
http://www.icannregistrars.org/
IPC
http://www.ipconstituency.org/
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gTLD policy discussions are typically initiated by or within ICANN’s Generic
Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) following input from its six “stakeholder”
communities: the CBUC (business constituency), the ISPCP (ISPs and
connectivity providers), the NCUC (non-commercial/business, civil society
constituency), gTLD Registries (those that manage the TLDs), the Registrars
(those that provide domain names, etc.) and the IPC (the Intellectual Property
constituency).
Each of these constituencies has its respective policy processes to allow
positions to be submitted to the GNSO Council for review. For further details of
memberships and policy processes it is recommended that the reader visit the
relevant constituency website (see above). Each of these constituencies elects
representatives to the GNSO Council.
The GNSO has a policy development process that is outlined in ICANN’s
bylaws.11 The ICANN Board, the GNSO Council or an ICANN Advisory
Committee (GAC, ALAC, SSAC, RSSAC)12 may raise issues for consideration
within the policy development process of the GNSO. Typically the GNSO will
meet with the Advisory Committees, notably the GAC, during each ICANN
meeting to inform and encourage discussion. Once the issue has satisfied the
necessary requirements the policy development process (PDP) can begin.
Once a proposal has passed through the GNSO’s PDP and has the
recommendation of the GNSO Council it is submitted to the ICANN Board for
approval.
11
GNSO policy development process: http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm#AnnexA
12
ICANN Advisory Committees overview: http://www.icann.org/en/structure/
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The gTLD landscape is changing and the introduction of new gTLDs and
Internationalized Domain Names should encourage a greater number of
stakeholders to participate in the relevant policy processes.
As an interested individual one can follow and participate in the policy
discussions through ICANN’s public comment webpage in which all the
substantive pieces of work of a policy nature (and more) are listed and open to
comment.13
For a more in-depth engagement, interested individuals can join the NCUC
constituency:
https://st.icann.org/ncsg-ec/index.cgi?membership_criteria
Organizations have an opportunity to participate in the various ICANN supporting
structures (through their respective constituencies) outlined above. This requires
a greater level of engagement, but for those organizations that are involved in or
have a material interest in the domain name space participation is important.
It should be noted that there are many representative organizations that
participate in the ICANN processes. It is not absolutely essential, therefore, to
participate directly, although this will of course depend upon the importance of
ICANN deliberations to the organization in question. The International Chamber
of Commerce in the GNSO’s CBUC is an example of a representative association
that participates in the ICANN GNSO and many other forums.14
As has been noted above many national, regional or international associations
participate in ICANN processes, and these provide a useful first entry point for
individuals and organizations that are new to the world of gTLD policy.
And, as with IP address allocation, governments will typically participate directly
in ICANN gTLD deliberations through the GAC, although GAC representatives
are free to participate directly in any ICANN constituency.
It is also essential that interested individuals and organizations monitor related
policy initiatives or consultations in their home countries. Governments will issue
updates or notices and consultations on Internet policy matters and it is important
13
http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/
14
http://www.iccwbo.org/
15
An example of an Australian notice on new gTLDs:
http://www.dbcde.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/128433/ICANN-FACTSHEET-1700.pdf
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• Root servers
• ccTLDs
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The root zone file is at the apex of the Domain Name System (DNS) database.
This database is used by almost all Internet applications to translate globally
unique names like isoc.org into other identifiers; the web, e-mail and many other
services make use of the DNS. Root servers contain the IP addresses of all the
TLD registry name servers, including the gTLDs such as .com and the ccTLDs
such as .de (Germany). Root servers “translate” names into next-level
nameserver IP addresses and form a critical if somewhat “back-office” role in
ensuring the continuity and therefore reliability of the Internet.16
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IANA
http://www.iana.org/domains/
ICANN
In the context of root servers, ICANN is the responsible party for the
operational management of IANA under contract with the United
States Department of Commerce.17
RSSAC
http://www.icann.org/en/committees/dns-root/
http://www.root-servers.org/
16
http://www.isoc.org/briefings/020/
17
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/iana/ianacontract_081406.pdf
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18
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anycast
19
Example of an F root anycast instance: http://www.isc.org/press-release/de-cix-supports-deployment-
f-root-servers-frankfurt
20
http://www.ripe.net/
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A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is an Internet top-level domain
generally used by a country - .de (Germany), .fr (France) and .jp (Japan) – and
typically designated according to the ISO two-letter country code standard.21
With the recent introduction in ICANN of a fast track for internationalized ccTLDs,
33 requests in 22 languages had been received as of 1 October 2010.22
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IANA
ICANN
ccNSO
http://ccnso.icann.org/
ccTLD operators
http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/
21
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-1_alpha-2
22
http://www.icann.org/en/topics/idn/fast-track/
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As an interested individual or organization participation is possible through a
number of routes.
Some ccTLD operators have open policy processes and it is possible to
participate in those processes online or through open meetings. For example,
Nominet, the ccTLD operator for .uk, encourages engagement in its policy
development processes:
http://nominet.com/policy/process/
ICANN also has open consultations. To be more involved in ICANN interested
individuals can participate in, for example, the ALAC (At-Large Community) that
represents the interests of the individual users.
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The Internet is built on technical standards that allow devices, services, and
applications to be interoperable across a wide and dispersed network of
networks. By focusing on interoperability for passing traffic between networks,
Internet standards describe the protocols without prescribing device
characteristics, business models, or content.
The Internet depends on several types of technical standards, developed by a
range of organizations. These include, among others: standards and protocols
developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), as well as
telecommunications infrastructure standards developed by the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU); hardware standards developed by bodies such
as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE); and application
and software standards, such as those developed by the World Wide Web
Consortium (W3C).
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ISOC
http://www.isoc.org/
IETF
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is a large, open and international
standardization community of network designers, operators, vendors, and
researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture and the
smooth operation of the Internet. The IETF is responsible for the
specifications of key Internet protocols such as IP (v4 and v6), as well as
HTTP (the communication protocol for the World Wide Web)
http://www.ietf.org/
IAB
23
http://www.irtf.org/
24
The IAB provides oversight of, and occasional commentary on, aspects of the architecture for the
protocols and procedures used by the Internet.
http://www.iab.org/
IESG
http://www.ietf.org/iesg/
W3C
http://www.w3.org/
IEEE
http://www.ieee.org/index.html
ITU-T
http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/
25
For more on the protocol parameter registries: http://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-iab-iana-05
http://www.ietf.org/tao.html
26
Much of the text for this section has been excerpted from the introductory document to the IETF:
http://www.ietf.org/tao.html
27
http://www.ietf.org/meeting/79/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Request_for_Comments
http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2026
The IETF is focused in its activities and does not develop new
activities when expertise is better represented elsewhere. The IETF is
chiefly scoped to work on "protocols and practices for which secure
and scalable implementations are expected to have wide deployment
and interoperation on the Internet, or to form part of the infrastructure
of the Internet." Adhering to this scope also allows the IETF to work in
partnership with other standards organizations, where appropriate, on
items of mutual interest:
http://www.ietf.org/liaison/managers.html
W3C
28
List of work areas and Working Groups: http://tools.ietf.org/area/
29
http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2418
http://www.w3.org/2005/10/Process-20051014/
http://www.w3.org/Consortium/activities
IEEE-SA
http://standards.ieee.org/guides/opman/sect5.html
http://standards.ieee.org/resources/development/initiate/index.html
http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/index.html
&
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IETF
http://www.ietf.org/newcomers.html
35
http://www.talkstandards.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/case-study-ieee-20090505.pdf
36
http://www.ietf.org/newcomers.html
37
http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/publications/Pages/recs.aspx
http://www.isoc.org/educpillar/fellowship/index.php
W3C
The “W3C invites the public to participate in W3C via discussion lists,
events, blogs, translations, and other means described below.
Participation in W3C groups (Working, Interest, Incubator,
Coordination, TAG, and Advisory Board) is open to W3C Members
and other invited parties. W3C groups work with the public through
specification reviews as well as contributions of use cases, tests, and
implementation feedback.”38
http://www.w3.org/2005/10/Process-20051014/tr.html#first-wd
http://www.w3.org/Consortium/join
IEEE-SA
http://standards.ieee.org/sa-mem/index.html
38
http://www.w3.org/participate/